Board game

ABSTRACT

A promotional item has a game board having a number of rows of offset spaces. The game board has markings similar to a sport, with a starting position. A promotional image is placed on the game board. A number of game pieces are placed in one of the offset spaces. Each of the game pieces only move along a diagonal line.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/633,853, filed on Dec. 7, 2004, entitled “Sportzboards” and is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of games and more particularly to a game board and promotional item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fans of sports are constantly trying to find ways of relating to their teams and memorabilia of their favorite teams. Presently, they are limited to T-shirts, sweat shirts, other clothing items and other passive collectibles. Thus there exists a need for an active memorabilia that is entertaining and engaging.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A promotional item that meets these needs has a game board having a number of rows of offset spaces. The game board has markings similar to a sport, with a starting position. A promotional image is placed on the game board. A number of game pieces are placed in one of the offset spaces. Each of the game pieces only move along a diagonal line. The game pieces are divided into at least a pair of teams. Each team of game pieces are initially placed in the starting position. The goal of the game is to have your team of game pieces in the other team's starting position. The game board functions both as an entertaining game of strategy and as a memorabilia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of a game board and promotional item in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an example of a game board in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an example of a game board in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a game piece in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a tab in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention relates to a fun multi-player game. The game board may double as a high quality collectible item, particular for sporting events and sports teams.

FIG. 1 is an example of a game board 10 and promotional item in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The game board 10 is a flat surface that may be made of wood, plastic, metal or other suitable material. The game board 10 has a number of rows 12, 14 of offsetting spaces or slots 16. In this example the first row 14 has four slots 16 and the second row has five slots. This alternating pattern occurs along the complete length of the board 10. The game board 10 has a pair of starting positions 18, 20. Each player is given five playing pieces (See FIG. 4), which may be similar to golf tees. The five game pieces are originally placed in the two starting places 18, 20. The pieces may only move along a diagonal. The goal is get all your game pieces in the other players starting position. The rules will be described in more detail using FIG. 2 for illustration.

FIG. 2 is an example of a game board 30 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. This game board 30 represents a football field. In this case the alternating rows have either six or five spaces. Each player starts with eleven players (game pieces) in their starting positions 32, 34 on or behind the goal lines 36, 38. A game piece at starting position 40 can move either to position 42 or position 44. A game piece at starting position 46 is allowed to jump over a game piece a position 40 and land on open position 44. If a second game piece was at position 48 the player in the same turn could also jump over the game piece to open position 50. If position 50 is not open, then this jump is not allowed. A player may jump over his own game pieces or the opponents game pieces. In addition, a player may jump backwards as well as forwards all in the same turn. A game piece that is jumped, is not removed or effected by the jump. Once a player's game piece cannot jump any other game pieces, or the player does not want to jump another game piece then their turn is over. In one embodiment, if a first players game piece is at location 44 and a second player moves one of his game pieces to position 48, then the first player is required to jump over the second players game piece to position 50. In one embodiment, the first player is required to continue jumping over the second player's game pieces as long as the jump is in a forward direction. In one embodiment, a player is never required to jump backwards. In another embodiment, each player is provided with a small number of tab (see FIG. 5). Wherever a tab is placed is a forbidden space. In one embodiment, the players are allowed to alternately place their tabs anywhere on the board before play starts. Note that this does not allow them to place their tabs in the starting positions. In an alternative embodiment, a template or instructions determine where the tabs are placed.

FIG. 3 is an example of a game board 60 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. This game board 60 has a layout like a soccer field. A game board may have a layout similar to baseball, hockey, volleyball, car racing events, or almost any other sport.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a game piece 70 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. This game piece 70 is similar to a golf tee. However, the game pieces may be formed to have football helmets for a football game, basketball heads for basketball or any shape that increases the memorabilia value or enhances playability.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a tab 74 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The tab has shape similar to a ball marker in golf, in one embodiment. However, many other shapes can be used for the same function.

Thus there has been described an active memorabilia that is entertaining and engaging.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims. 

1. A board game, comprising: a game board having a plurality of rows of offset spaces, the game board having marking similar to a sport, with a starting position; and a plurality of game pieces placed in one of the offset spaces, each of the games pieces moving only along a diagonal, the plurality of game pieces divided into at least a pair of teams, each team of game pieces initially in the starting position, wherein the goal of the game is to have your team of game pieces in the other team's starting position.
 2. The board game of claim 1, further including a plurality of tabs defining forbidden spaces.
 3. The board game of claim 2, wherein each player is given a predetermined number of tabs and is allowed to place them anywhere on the game board, except the starting position.
 4. The board game of claim 2, wherein the plurality of tabs are placed according to a template.
 5. The board game of claim 1, wherein a first team's game piece may jump a second team's game piece.
 6. The board game of claim 5, wherein the first teams game piece may only jump a second team's game piece that is in an adjacent diagonal space and has an open space adjacent to and along the same line as the second team's game piece.
 7. The board game of claim 1, wherein the game board includes a promotional image on it surface.
 8. A promotional item, comprising: a game board having a plurality of rows of offset spaces, the game board having marking similar to a sport, with a starting position; a promotional image on the game board; and a plurality of game pieces placed in one of the offset spaces, each of the games pieces moving only along a diagonal, the plurality of game pieces divided into at least a pair of teams, each team of game pieces initially in the starting position, wherein the goal of the game is to have your team of game pieces in the other team's starting position.
 9. The promotional item of claim 8, wherein a first team's game piece must jump a second team's game piece if the second team's game piece is on an adjacent forward space and has an open space adjacent to and along the same line as the second team's game piece.
 10. The promotional item of claim 9, wherein a game piece on a first team may jump over another game piece on the first team.
 11. The promotional item of claim 10, wherein the game piece may jump backwards.
 12. The promotional item of claim 11, wherein the game piece may have multiple jumps in a single turn.
 13. The promotional item of claim 12, further including a plurality of tabs defining forbidden spaces.
 14. The board game of claim 13, wherein each player is given a predetermined number of tabs and is allowed to place them anywhere on the game board, except the starting position.
 15. The board game of claim 14, wherein the plurality of tabs are placed according to a template. 